SHIBBOLETH: Thoughts on life and faith

Book Review: ‘Cycling Home from Siberia’ by Rob Lilwall

I’ve just finished reading Rob Lilwall‘s autobiographical book of his 35,000 mile trip from Siberia home via China, Australia, Tibet, Afghanistan to London (with a few places in-between). It’s a light-hearted, easy read, book which gives you brief glimpses into many places not seen on the British news. Beginning in September 2004 and taking three and half years, it’s a gripping story of courage and adventure with a few spiritual and anthropological insights thrown in for good measure. Lilwall manages to convey the excitement of his journey without letting you get bogged down in the details. You hear how he survived -40C camping, muggings, a tropical storm, a Papuan gang known as the ‘rascals’, cycling illegally through Tibet, as well as managing to cross parts of Afghanistan where others had died in the attempt. Rob is a Christian, who attends the well-known Holy Trinity, Brompton church and has some occasional thoughts and discussions on faith with people he meets along the way, but this is a travel book rather than a spiritual book and his faith is more incidental than central to the book itself. If you fancy something which doesn’t take much brain power but which will interest and delight then you couldn’t go to far wrong with this little book. Here is a quick video to may be tempt you a bit further:

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Thanks for recommendation Mike. will give it a shot one of these days. Following you now. I am at http://kriti-howaboutthis.blogspot.com if you are interested in a mix of true and imaginary stories : )

I love LOVE adventure, especially real life ones. I’ve had a dream since I was a boy; to climb the highest ice berg in Alaska and hit golf balls, baseballs, throw javelins, snow balls, ect… from it’s peak. Just to say I’m here where no one or very very few have been, I like it. Great post Mike. 🙂

What an incredible man! I have met a Japanese man in Uruguay who cycled from Alaska down to the bottom of South America. He was such a humble guy and I am so sorry I never got his email address to see how his trip went!

Wow Mike…this looks like an amazing read! And one that I wouldn’t have come across if it wasn’t for this post. The video was very compelling…I’d love to read this book in the future, I’ll have to add it to my list. Rob Lilwall definitely is an amazing individual, I’d love to get a glimpse into his character and spirit…that which helped propel him through such extraordinary circumstances and challenges.

I’m currently reading:

"[Christian rebellion] arises from the doctrine of mankind made in the image of God, and therefore protests against all forms of dehumanization. It sets itself against the social injustices which insult God the Creator, seeks to protect human beings from oppression and longs to liberate them… it protests against every authoritarian regime, whether of the left or of the right, which discriminates against minorities, denies people their civil rights, forbids the free expression of opinions or imprisons people for their views alone."— John Stott